Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image reading apparatus includes a contact glass having a light control glass part having transmittance changeable by an applied voltage; a scanner part reading an original placed on an original placement surface of the contact glass and outputting image data in a storage part; a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass from a side opposite to the original placement surface; and a control part controlling the voltage applied to the light controlling glass part. When the scanner part is operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to increase and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and when the scanner part is not operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to decrease and the projector part projects the image data stored in the storage part onto the contact glass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as acopier or a scanner, and an image forming apparatus in which the imagereading apparatus is mounted.

2. Description of the Related Art

An image forming apparatus such as a copier includes an image readingapparatus that reads an image of an original and outputs the data havingbeen read to another apparatus for printing the image.

The image reading apparatus may have a size change function ofincreasing or reducing a size of the image of the original having beenread. The size change function may include an automatic size changefunction and a manual size change function.

In the automatic size change function, the image having been read fromthe original is changed in its size into a size of predeterminedrecording paper, and then, the image is printed. That is, the desiredsize of recording paper is input from an operation part, information ofthe size of the original placed on an original table is obtained,therefrom a printing magnification is automatically calculated, andprinting is carried out according to the calculated printingmagnification.

Further, in the manual size change function, a user inputs the desiredsize of recording paper and the printing magnification from theoperation part manually, and printing is carried out based on the inputresults.

At a time the manual size change function is used, an image size of theoriginal which can be printed onto recording paper is determined by thesize of the recording paper and the printing magnification which havebeen input. Therefrom, a printable area that is an area from whichprinting is carried out onto recording paper is determined on anoriginal placement area on the original table. In other words, an areaof the image of the original other than the printable area is notprinted on the recording paper.

Therefore, at the time the manual size change function is used, it isnecessary to place the original on the original table in such a mannerthat an original image to be printed onto the recording paper is placedwithin the printable area.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.2000-358131) proposed an image reading apparatus that has a functionsuch that a user can recognize the printable area.

However, in the image reading apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1,LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) disposed along a frame of an original tableare used as light sources to indicate the printable area, and merelypositions in a main can direction and a sub-scan direction areindicated. Therefore, it may be difficult to recognize the entirety ofthe printable area. Further, information such as a scanner condition isnot displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image readingapparatus that reads an image of an original placed on a contact glassand outputs the read image as printing data according to a paper size ora printing magnification which has been set includes the contact glasshaving a light control glass part that has transmittance which ischanged according to a state of a voltage being applied, and having oneside that acts as an original placement surface; a scanner part thatreads the original placed on the contact glass and outputs image data ofthe read original in a storage part; a projector part that projectsimage information onto the contact glass from a side of the contactglass opposite to the original placement surface; and a control partthat controls the voltage to be applied to the light control glass part,wherein at a time of the scanner part being operated, the control partcontrols the voltage to increase the transmittance of the contact glass,and the projector part stops projecting the image information onto thecontact glass, and at a time of the scanner part being not operated, thecontrol part controls the voltage to decrease the transmittance of thecontact glass, and the projector part carries out first image displayingof projecting the image data stored in the storage part as the imageinformation onto the contact glass.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an imagereading method of reading an image of an original placed on a contactglass and outputting the read image as printing data according to apaper size or a printing magnification which has been set includesreading the image of the original placed on the contact glass having alight control glass part that has transmittance which is changedaccording to a state of a voltage being applied, and having one sidethat acts as an original placement surface, and outputting image data ofthe read original to a storage part; projecting image information ontothe contact glass from a side of the contact glass opposite to theoriginal placement surface; and controlling the voltage to be applied tothe light control glass part, wherein at the time of reading the imageof the original, the voltage is controlled to increase the transmittanceof the contact glass, and projecting the image information onto thecontact glass is stopped, and at a time of other than the reading theimage of the original, the voltage is controlled to decrease thetransmittance of the contact glass, and first image displaying ofprojecting the image data stored in the storage part as the imageinformation onto the contact glass is carried out.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show an external perspective view of one example ofan image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an external plan view of the example of the image formingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a transparent perspective view showing a configuration ofan image reading apparatus 2 included in the image forming apparatus100;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a configuration of a contact glass according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a principle of operation of a liquid crystalsheet shown in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 6 shows a relationship between an applied voltage and a parallelray transmittance of the contact glass used in the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 generally shows a configuration of a projector part;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of an image projected onto the contactglass by the projector part included in the image reading apparatusshown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example of displaying on a liquid crystal panelincluded in the projector part shown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a sectional view of the image reading apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a control block diagram of the image forming apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a control procedure (1) in the imagereading apparatus included in the image forming apparatus according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show examples of displaying of an original table at atime of a scanner display mode (i.e., a time of a scanner part being notoperated) in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a control procedure (2) in the imagereading apparatus included in the image forming apparatus according tothe embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show one example of a preview displayfunction of displaying onto the contact glass 7 and one example of apreview display function of displaying onto a display part 17 of theimage forming apparatus according to a first variant embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E show an example of a process ofcombining material images displayed by the preview display function;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E and 17F show one example of a process ofcombining an image already scanned from the contact glass and additionaloriginals in the image reading apparatus according to the first variantembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate image processing (i.e., a cut-out process)on a preview image displayed on the contact glass 7 in the image readingapparatus according to the first variant embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate image processing (i.e., a rotation process)on a preview image displayed on the contact glass 7 in the image readingapparatus according to the first variant embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate another example of image processing (i.e.,a rotation process) on a preview image displayed on the contact glass 7in the image reading apparatus according to the first variant embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according tothe first variant embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according toa second variant embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 23 shows a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according toa third variant embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention has been devised in considerationof the problems in the related art mentioned above, and an object of theembodiment is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image readingmethod in which it is possible to avoid a position error of an originaland reduce an image reading error, an image forming apparatus using theimage reading apparatus, and an image forming method using the imagereading method.

Next, the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention will be describedin detail. It is noted that the embodiment of the present invention is apreferable embodiment of the present invention and therefore, variouslimitations that are technically preferable are included. However, thescope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

FIG. 1A shows a configuration of the entirety of the image formingapparatus, FIG. 1B shows a configuration around the image readingapparatus of the image forming apparatus in a state in which anautomatic document feeder (ADF) has been opened, and FIG. 1C shows astate in which information of an original size is displayed on a lightcontrol glass of a contact glass, described later, in the state shown inFIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming apparatus 100 includes theautomatic document feeder 1, the image reading apparatus (i.e., ascanner apparatus) 2, an image forming part (i.e., a printer apparatus)5, and paper trays 6. The ADF 1 feeds an original, which is set to beread, to the image reading apparatus 2. The image reading apparatus 2according to the embodiment of the present invention reads the originalas an image, which original has been sent from the ADF 1 or set on thecontact glass (i.e., the light control glass on which an original tableis displayed, as described later) 7, and outputs the image, which hasbeen thus read, as printing data according to a paper size or a printingmagnification which is set by the user. The image forming part 5 formsan image on a sheet of a predetermined size based on the printing data.The paper trays 6 hold sheets that are recording media for formingimages thereon, and supply the sheets to the image forming part 5.

It is noted that the image forming part 5 may be the printer apparatusof known technology such as a printer apparatus of anelectrophotographic type or an inkjet recording type, which formsimages. Further, in front of the image forming apparatus 100, anoperation panel 3 for the user to operate the image forming apparatus100 and a paper ejection tray 4 to which the sheets on which the imageshave been formed are ejected, are provided.

It is noted that the ADF 1 is mounted on the image reading apparatus 2in such a manner to cover an original reading part (i.e., the contactglass 7) of the image reading apparatus 2, and an end part of the ADF 1on a rear surface side of the image forming apparatus 100 is rotatablyfixed to the image reading apparatus 2 by hinges. Further, a bottomsurface of the ADF 1 acts as a scanner cover 25 that covers the contactglass 7, the scanner cover 25 rotates about the hinges as the user liftsan end of the ADF 1 on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, and thus, the scanner cover 25 becomes open so that the contactglass 7 is exposed.

In the state shown in FIG. 1B, the scanner cover 25 is open and thecontact glass 7 is exposed. In this state, the user sets an original,that is, for example, a book, on the contact glass 7, then closes thescanner cover 25, and operates the image forming apparatus 100 to read(or scan) an image of the original with the image reading apparatus 2.

In the state of FIG. 1C, the scanner cover 25 is open, the contact glassis exposed, and further, predetermined image information and so forth,which is projected by a projector part 15 (described later), isdisplayed on the contact glass 7.

FIG. 2 shows an external plan view of the image forming apparatus 100 inthe embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, theoperation panel 3 (including a display part 17 and an input part 18) isdisposed at a front position (i.e., on a lower side of FIG. 2) which theuser faces and operates. The contact glass 7 is disposed at a positionon a rather far side (i.e., on an upper side of FIG. 2). It is notedthat in the example shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 1 (or the scanner cover 25)is open, the contact glass 7 is exposed, and further, the predeterminedimage information or such projected by the projector part 15 isdisplayed on the contact glass 7.

Next, the image reading apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a transparent perspective view of a configuration of theimage reading apparatus 2 included in the image forming apparatus 100.In FIG. 3, the image reading apparatus 2 is drawn by solid lines.

The image reading apparatus 2 has the contact glass 7, a scanner part(described later), the scanner cover 25, a detection part (i.e., scannercover open sensor 16, described later), and a projector part 15. Thecontact glass 7 has the light control glass (light control glass part)that has transmittance changed according to a state of a voltage beingapplied, and a top side of the contact glass 7 functions as an originalplacement surface on which an original to be read (or scanned) isplaced. The scanner part reads an image of the original placed on thecontact glass 7. The scanner cover 25 acts as an openable and closablecover of the contact glass 7 and acts as a reflection plate providing abackground of the original when the image is read by the scanner part.The detection part detects a state of opening/closing of the scannercover 25. The projector part 15 projects a specific pattern and/orcharacter information (image information) onto the contact glass 7 froma side opposite to the original placement surface.

The scanner part includes a scanner light source unit 11, a lens 12, ascanner sensor 13 and a part of a scanner control part 14 (see FIGS.10A, 10B and 11). The part of the scanner control part 14 is a partconcerning scanning operations carried out by using the scanner lightsource unit 11, the lens 12 and the scanner sensor 13.

The scanner light source unit 11 emits a light beam that extends as aline along the width direction of the original and scans the originalwith the light beam along a longitudinal direction of the original(sub-scan direction). The lens 12 converges light reflected by theoriginal, and the scanner sensor 13 detects the light converged by thelens 12 and outputs a signal. The scanner control part 14 receives thesignal output by the scanner sensor 13. It is noted that an imageprocessing part (not shown) is connected to the scanner control part 14.The image processing part outputs an image, which has been originallyread by the scanner sensor 13, as printing data according to a papersize or a magnification which is set by the user, to the image formingpart 5.

The contact glass 7 has the light control glass, the transmittance ofwhich changes according to a state of a voltage, controlled by thescanner control part 14, applied thereto. FIGS. 4A and 4B show aconfiguration of the contact glass 7. FIG. 4A shows a perspective viewof a configuration of the entirety of the contact glass 7, and FIG. 4Bshows a configuration of a liquid crystal sheet 137 a included in thecontact glass 7.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the contact glass 7 has a configuration such thatboth principal surfaces of the liquid crystal sheet 137 a are sandwichedby transparent sheet glasses 137 c via intermediate films 137 b,respectively. The intermediate films 137 b may be omitted.

The liquid crystal sheet 137 a includes, as shown in FIG. 4B, a liquidcrystal layer 101, two transparent electrically conductive films 102 andtwo resin films 103. The liquid crystal layer 101 is such that finecapsules 101 c in which liquid crystal molecules are sealed aredispersed in a resin 101 b and has a thickness on the order of 20 μm.The transparent electrically conductive films 102 are provided on bothsides of the liquid crystal layer 101 and act as electrodes for applyingthe voltage. The resin films 103 further sandwich the transparentelectrically conductive films 103 from the outside to support thetransparent electrically conductive films 102 and are made oftransparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

In the liquid crystal sheet 137 a, the voltage can be applied betweenthe two transparent electrically conductive films 102 by the scannercontrol part 14, the transmittance of the liquid crystal sheet 137 achanges according to a state of the voltage being applied, and thus, atransmission state of the contact glass 7 is controlled. FIGS. 5A and 5Bshow the state.

First, while no voltage is applied between the two transparentelectrodes 102 (i.e., at a time of OFF, see FIG. 5A), the arrangement ofthe liquid crystal molecules 101 a in the capsules 101 c is irregular,and when parallel rays are incident on the liquid crystal layer 101, theincident parallel rays are bent by the liquid crystal molecules of theirregular arrangement. As a result, the incident light cannot gostraight, and passes through the liquid crystal layer 101 in a conditionin which the incident light is scattered. Therefore, the exit side ofthe liquid crystal layer 101 is seemed to be in an opaque state.

Next, while the voltage is applied between the two transparentelectrodes 102 (i.e., a time of ON, see FIG. 5B), the arrangement of theliquid crystal molecules 101 a in the capsules 101 c is regular, andwhen parallel rays are incident on the liquid crystal layer 101, theincident parallel rays are not bent by the liquid crystal molecules ofthe regular arrangement. As a result, the incident light passes throughthe liquid crystal layer in a condition in which the incident light goesstraight. Therefore, the exit side of the liquid crystal layer 101 isseemed to be in a transparent state. It is noted that electric power isnecessary to thus cause the contact glass 7 to be transparent, andtherefore, it is preferable that the voltage is applied only at a timean image is read (or scanned) (i.e., at a time of the scanner part beingoperated), or at a time a size of an original placed on the contactglass 7 is detected, in the image reading apparatus 2. Thus, it ispossible to reduce power consumption.

FIG. 6 shows a relationship between the applied voltage and parallel raytransmittance of the liquid crystal sheet 137 a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transmittance is lowest when the applied voltageis 0 V, and the transmittance is highest when the applied voltageexceeds 80 V. Further, in the liquid crystal sheet 137 a, intermediatetransmittance occurs depending on the applied voltage. Further, a rateat which the transmittance changes is not a fixed rate when the appliedvoltage changes between 0 through 100 V, and the transmittance greatlychanges after the applied exceeds 10 V until the applies voltage reaches60 V.

As a preferable one for the contact glass 7 described above, forexample, a switchable light control glass “UMU” made by a NSG UMUPRODUCTS CO., LTD., for example, may be used. The product specificationof the switchable light control glass “UMU” is as follows: power source:AC 100 V (50/60 Hz); power consumption: 3.5 W/m² (at a time of ON(transparent or see through)); speed of response (OFF (not transparentor not see through)→ON (transparent)): approximately 1/1000 seconds;speed of response (ON (transparent)→OFF (not transparent)):approximately 1/100 seconds; parallel ray transmittance (at a time oftransparent): 72%; and parallel ray transmittance (at a time of nottransparent: 8%.

The projector part 15 is disposed on a bottom surface of the imagereading apparatus 2, and is a liquid crystal projector for displayingthe original table (described later). The projector part 15 projects aspecific pattern and/or character information (image information) ontothe side of the contact glass 7 opposite to the original placementsurface (i.e., the surface with which the scanner cover 25 comes intocontact).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a configuration of the projector part 15.

As shown in FIG. 7, the projector part 15 includes a light source 135 a,a projection lens 135 b and a liquid crystal panel 135 c. The lightsource 135 a projects visible light from a lower side. The light emittedby the light source 135 a passes through the projection lens 135 b. Theliquid crystal panel 135 c is a translucent liquid crystal shutter fordisplaying the specific pattern and/or character information. When imageinformation or such is to be displayed on the contact glass 7, thescanner control part 14 transmits display data (including image datastored by a storage part 22 described later) to the liquid crystal panel135 c, and the light source 135 a emits light in a state in which thedisplay data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 135 c. Thus, thedisplay data of the liquid crystal panel 135 c is projected onto thecontact glass 7, as a result of the light emitted by the light source135 a passing through the liquid crystal panel 135 c after passingthrough the projection lens 135 b and then reaching the contact glass 7.

It is noted that in a case where an area (i.e., the original table) inwhich the original is to be placed is displayed at a corner part of thecontact glass 7 in a state in which the projector part 15 is disposed ata center of the bottom surface of the image reading apparatus 2, animage displayed on the liquid crystal panel 135 c is displayed on thecontact glass 7 in a state in which the image is distorted in its shapethrough the projection of the image on the liquid crystal panel 135 conto the contact glass 7.

FIG. 8A shows an example of the displaying. For example, when arectangle corresponding to a B5 size in a longitudinal state isdisplayed, as it is, on the liquid crystal panel 135 c, a light fluxemitted by the light source 135 a and transmitted by the liquid crystalpanel 135 c is projected onto the contact glass 7. Thus, the image isprojected at the top left corner of the contact glass 7. FIG. 8A showsthe projected image viewed from the front side of the image formingapparatus 100. Thus, on the contact glass 7, the intended shape is notdisplayed, but the shape in which a width increases as a distance fromthe light source 135 a increases is displayed as shown in FIG. 8A.Therefore, it may be difficult to place the original on the contactglass 7 appropriately based on the projected image (displayed as theoriginal table). Also in a case where characters (i.e., letters) areprojected and displayed onto the contact glass 7, a distortion may occurin the characters similarly.

Further, in a case of FIG. 8B, also a rectangle corresponding to a B5size in a longitudinal state is displayed as an area having a uniformdensity on the liquid crystal panel 135 c, and a light flux emitted bythe light source 135 a and transmitted by the liquid crystal panel 135 cis projected onto the contact glass 7. Thus, the image is projected alsoat the top left corner of the contact glass 7. FIG. 8B shows theprojected image viewed from the front side of the image formingapparatus 100. Thus, on the contact glass 7, as shown in FIG. 8B,luminance may be reduced or unevenness may occur depending oncharacteristics of the light source 135 a and the projection lens 135 b,and/or a distance between the light source 135 a and the contact glass7. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, near the end of the contactglass 7, the projected image is magnified by the projection lens 135 bin comparison to the center of the contact glass 7. Therefore, near theend of the contact glass 7, the light flux is dispersed and luminance isreduced (i.e., a light flux density per unit area decreases). Thus,unevenness in luminance may occur in the projected image.

In order to solve the problems, it is preferable to modify displayinformation in the projector part 15. First, against a distortion inshape as shown in FIG. 8A, it is preferable to correct the displayinformation in the projector part 15 depending on an angle of theprojection from the liquid crystal panel 135 a to the contact glass 7 sothat the shape of the projected image on the contact glass 7 becomes theproper shape (i.e., the intended shape). FIG. 9A shows one example of adisplayed image on the liquid crystal panel 135 c which image has beencorrected so as to properly display the projected image of B5 size inthe longitudinal state. It is possible to properly display the projectedimage of B5 size in the longitudinal state on the contact glass 7 as aresult of the projection being carried out by using this example of thedisplayed image on the liquid crystal panel 135 c.

Further, against a distortion in shape and luminance unevenness such asthat shown in FIG. 8B, in addition to the correction of the displayedimage on the liquid crystal panel 135 c as shown in FIG. 9A, it ispreferable to correct a density of the display information in theprojector part 15 depending on an angle of the projection from theliquid crystal panel 135 a to the contact glass 7 so that also thedensity of the projected image on the contact glass 7 becomes uniform.FIG. 9B shows one example of a displayed image on the liquid crystalpanel 135 c which image has been corrected so as to properly display theprojected image of B5 size in the longitudinal state. It is possible todisplay the projected image of B5 size in the longitudinal state on thecontact glass 7 with the proper shape and uniform brightness as a resultof the projection being carried out by using this example of thedisplayed image on the liquid crystal panel 135 c.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an internal configuration of the image readingapparatus 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.10A shows a state in which an image is read (i.e., a scanner readingmode or for a time of the scanner part being operated), and FIG. 10Bshows a state in which the original table is displayed on the contactglass 7 (i.e., a scanner display mode or for a time of the scanner partbeing not operated).

In FIG. 10A, the scanner cover 25 is closed in a state in which theoriginal 8 is placed on the contact glass 7, and in this state, an imageof the original 8 is read in an ordinary method. That is, in the stateof FIG. 10A, the detection part detects the closed state of the scannercover 25, and the scanner control part 14 increases the transmittance ofthe contact glass 7 by applying the voltage to the contact glass 7, andstops projecting image information onto the contact glass 7 from theprojector part 15. It is noted that “stopping projecting imageinformation onto the contact glass 7 from the projector part 15” mayinclude a state where no image information is projected onto an area onthe contact glass 7 to be read by the scanner part 2 (i.e., an area onthe contact glass 7 from which the scanner sensor 13 receives reflectedlight). That is, such a configuration that the scanner part itselfblocks projection from the projector part 15 may be provided, andtherefore, although the projector part 15 projects some imageinformation, it may be possible to treat such a state as the state ofsubstantially “stopping projecting image information onto the contactglass 7 from the projector part 15” as long as nothing obstructs theoperation of reading or scanning the original 8 by the scanner part. Itis noted that in viewpoint of saving power, it is preferable, of course,not to project image information when it is not necessary to do so, andit is preferable that image information is projected onto a necessaryarea on the contact glass 7 when it is necessary.

Then, reading the original 8 is actually started as a result of ascanner start operation or such being carried out by the user.Specifically, the scanner light source unit 11 including a scannermirror 9 and a scanner light source 10 in the inside thereof moves inthe sub-scan direction to scan the original 8. At this time, light forreading the original 8 is emitted by the scanner light source 10, andthe emitted light passes through the contact glass 7 being transparentand thus passing light therethrough, and is reflected by the original 8or the scanner cover 25. Then, the reflected light again passes throughthe contact glass 7, and reaches the scanner sensor 13 after beingreflected by the scanner mirror 13 and passing through the lens 12. Thescanner sensor 13 converts the received light into an electric signaland thus, obtains image data, and transmits the image data to thescanner control part 14. Next, the scanner control part 14 transmits theimage data to the image processing part, and the image processing parttransmits the image data to the storage part 22 (or further, to theimage forming part 5) after obtaining printing data according to a papersize of a magnification which has been set by the user.

In the state of FIG. 10B, the scanner cover 25 is open, the contactglass 7 is thus exposed, and the original 8 is to be placed. In thisstate, the original table is displayed on the contact glass 7 in whichthe specific pattern and/or character information is displayed on thecontact glass 7. That is, in the state of FIG. 10B, the detection partdetects the open state of the scanner cover 25, and the scanner controlpart 14 reduces (i.e., decreases) the transmittance of the contact glass7 by stopping applying the voltage to or reducing the voltage applied tothe contact glass 7, and thus causes the contact glass 7 to enter astate of a frosted glass or a state of becoming black. Then, the scannercontrol part 15 transmits display data to the projector part 15, and theprojector part 15 displays the transmitted display data on the liquidcrystal panel 135 c. In this state, the light source 135 a is caused toemit light, and thus, a paper size which has been set by the user or anarea of the original 8 which area is to be read according to a printingmagnification which has been set by the user is projected on the contactglass 7 as the original table in such a manner that the user can see theprojected image. The user sees the displayed original table, and thus,can place the original 8 to correspond to the position of the displayedoriginal table. It is noted that at this time, the scanner light sourceunit 11 has moved to a position under the image reading apparatus 2 fromthe position of FIG. 10A, and thus, the light path of the projectedlight from the projector part 15 is not blocked by the scanner lightsource unit 11.

Next, control of the image reading apparatus in the image formingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

FIG. 11 shows a control block diagram of the image forming apparatusaccording to the embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 100 includes the operation panel 3, theimage reading apparatus 2, a body control part 21, and the storage part22. The body control part 21 carries out control of the entirety of theimage forming apparatus. The storage part 22 stores various data that isprocessed in the body control part 21. According to the embodiment, thestorage part 22 is provided in the outside of the image reading part 2.However, the storage part 22 may be provided in the inside of the imagereading part 2.

The operation panel 3 includes the display part 17, the input part(operation part) 18, and an operation panel control part 19. The displaypart 17 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emittingdiode (LED) for the user's acknowledgement and/or displaying data to theuser. The input part 18 includes a touch panel, hard keys or such forthe user to input data or instructions. The operation panel control part19 controls the display part 17 and the input part 18, and communicateswith the body control part 21.

The image reading apparatus 2 includes the contact glass 7, theprojector part 15 acting as a light source to display the originaltable, the scanner sensor 13, the scanner light source 11, a scannercover open sensor (i.e., the detection part) 16 that detects theopen/closed state of the scanner cover 25, an original size detectionsensor 20 that detects a size of the original 8 placed on the contactglass 7, and the scanner control part 14 that controls theabove-mentioned parts, and communicates with the body control part 21.

<Control Procedure (1) of Image Reading Apparatus at Time of ReadingOriginal>

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a control procedure (i.e., a controlprocedure (1)) of the image reading apparatus in the image formingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, acase where the user first has input a scanner condition is shown.

After the user first inputs a scanner condition from the input part 18of the operation part 3 (“INPUT GIVEN” of step S11), the operation panelcontrol part 19 transmits the input information (i.e., scanner conditiondata) to the body control part 21 (step S12).

Next, the scanner cover open sensor 16 detects whether the scanner cover25 is open (step S13). After it is detected that the scanner cover 25 isopen (“OPEN” in step S13), the scanner control part 14 transmits scannercover open information to the body control part 21 (step S14).

After receiving the scanner cover open information, the body controlpart 21 transmits to the scanner control part 14 an instruction toswitch to the scanner display mode (i.e., for the time of the scannerpart being not operated) and the scanner condition that has been inputby the user (i.e., the input scanner condition) (step S15).

The scanner control part 14 receives the instruction to switch to thescanner display mode and the scanner condition, and thus, enters thescanner display mode (see FIG. 10B) (step S16). Specifically, thescanner control part 14 reduces the transmittance of the contact glass 7by stopping applying the voltage to or reducing the voltage applied tothe contact glass 7, thus, causes the contact glass 7 to enter thefrosted glass state or the state of becoming black, and transmitsdisplay data based on the scanner condition to the projector part 15.Further, the scanner control part 14 moves the scanner light source unit11 downward so that blocking of the light path of the projection carriedout by the projector part 15 by the scanner light source unit 11 isprevented. Then, the original table is displayed on the contact glass 7in which the specific pattern and/or character information based on theinput scanner condition is projected and displayed onto the contactglass 7. It is noted that it is preferable that in a state in which thescanner cover 25 is open, the user (i.e., the operator) can adjust thevoltage to be applied to the contact glass 7 and/or the projectionoutput of the projector part 15 in a state in which the user can see theprojected image.

An example of the original table is one shown in FIG. 1C. In the stateof FIG. 1C, the scanner cover 25 is open, and predetermined information(i.e., character information of “A4 LATERAL COLOR” (meaning A4 size inthe lateral state) and an area onto which the original is to be placed)projected by the projector part 15 is displayed on the contact glass 7.

It is preferable that the image information (i.e., the predeterminedinformation) projected by the projector part 15 onto the contact glass 7includes, in addition to the original reading area information displayedby the pattern (i.e., the information indicating the area of the size ofthe original from which area the image reading apparatus 2 reads theimage), character information of at least one of the informationindicating the size of the original in which size the image can be read,information indicating whether the original is in a lateral orlongitudinal state (i.e., whether the original uses paper where thelateral (or horizontal) length is greater than the longitudinal (orvertical) length (as shown in FIG. 1C, for example) or the longitudinallength is greater than the lateral length), and information indicatingwhether printing is carried out in color or monochrome, is projectedonto the contact glass 7.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show examples of the information projected by theprojector part 15 onto the contact glass 7.

FIG. 13A is an example of displaying in which the area of the size ofthe original from which area the image reading apparatus 2 reads theimage and the character part are included in the projected image. Thatis, in the example of FIG. 13A, the projector part 15 projects lightonto the area (indicated as being hatched) of the size of the originalfrom which area the image reading apparatus 2 reads the image, and doesnot project light onto the area (indicated as being blank) other thanthe area of the size of the original from which area the image readingapparatus 2 reads the image, except the projection of the characterinformation described later. As a result, the area other than the areaof the size of the original from which area the image reading apparatus2 reads the image on the contact glass 7 has the ground color (i.e., theground color in the state of the frosted glass or the state of becomingblack), as it is, in the condition in which the transmittance of thecontact glass 7 is low. Further, in the example of FIG. 13A, thecharacter information (i.e., A4/LATERAL/COLOR), i.e., the informationthat has been set by the user, including the information “A4” indicatingthat the size of the original in which size the original can be read isA4 size, the information “LATERAL” indicating that the original is inthe lateral (not longitudinal) state, and the information “COLOR”indicating that printing is carried out in color (not monochrome) in thearea other than the area of the size of the original from which area theimage reading apparatus 2 reads the image.

FIG. 13B is an example of displaying in which the projector part 15 doesnot project light onto the area (indicated as being blank) of the sizeof the original from which area the image reading apparatus 2 reads theimage, except the projection of the character information describedlater. As a result, the area of the size of the original from which areathe image reading apparatus 2 reads the image on the contact glass 7 hasthe ground color (i.e., the ground color in the state of the frostedglass or in the state of becoming black), as it is, in the condition inwhich the transmittance of the contact glass 7 is low. On the otherhand, in the example of FIG. 13B, the projector part 15 projects lightonto the area (indicated as being hatched) other than the area of thesize of the original from which area the image reading apparatus 2 readsthe image. Further, in the example of FIG. 13B, the characterinformation (i.e., A4/LATERAL/COLOR), i.e., the above-mentionedinformation that has been set by the user, is displayed on the contactglass 7 in the area of the size of the original from which area theimage reading apparatus 2 reads the image.

It is preferable that the user can select one of the display styles ofFIGS. 13A and 13B, i.e., as display styles to display the area fromwhich the image is read, including the display style of FIG. 13A inwhich the area from which the image is read is projected and the displaystyle of FIG. 13B in which the area from which the image is readcorresponds to the ground color in the condition in which thetransmittance of the contact glass 7 is low.

The user can thus appropriately place the part of the original, whichpart is to be read, onto the contact glass 7 based on the displayedoriginal table (as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, for example). Further, onthe contact glass 7, in addition to the area from which the image isread, the information of the original to be placed, and the informationconcerning the mode and/or the condition of the scanning, are projectedin a form of characters or a diagram. Therefore, the user can use thescanning properly according to the information displayed on the contactglass 7 without need to move his or her line of sight toward theoperation panel 3.

Next, in FIG. 12, the original size sensor 20 detects whether theoriginal has been placed on the contact glass 7 (step S17). After theoriginal is detected (step S17, “ALREADY SET”), the scanner control part14 determines whether the size of the original determined by theoriginal size sensor 20 is the same as the size of the original whichhas been input by the user from the operation panel 3 (step S18). Whenit has been determined that the size of the original determined by theoriginal size sensor 20 is not the same as the size of the originalwhich has been input by the user from the operation panel 3 (step S18,“NOT SAME”), this matter is reported to the user as an alarm or warning(step S19). For example, displaying an alarm may be carried out on theoperation panel 3 or on the contact glass 7 in the scanner display mode.Next, it is determined whether such an input has been given from theoperation panel 3 that the user has acknowledged (“OK”) the displayingof the alarm (step S1 a). When it has been determined that such an inputhas not been given from the operation panel 3 that the user hasacknowledged (“OK”) the displaying of the alarm (step S1 a, NO), theoperation is returned to step S18, and the scanner control part 14determines whether the size of the original determined by the originalsize sensor 20 is the same as the size of the original which has beeninput by the user from the operation panel 3.

When it has been determined that such an input has been given from theoperation panel 3 that the user has acknowledged (“OK”) the displayingof the alarm (step S1 a, YES), or when it has been determined that thesize of the original determined by the original size sensor 20 is thesame as the size of the original which has been input by the user fromthe operation panel 3 (step S18, “SAME”), waiting for the scanner opensensor 16 detecting that the scanner cover 25 has been closed is carriedout (step S1 b).

After the scanner open sensor 16 detects that the scanner cover 25 hasbeen closed (step S1 b, “CLOSED”), the image reading apparatus 2 entersthe scanner reading mode (see FIG. 10A, for the time of the scanner partbeing operated) from the scanner display mode, and thus, the imagereading apparatus 2 enters the state of being able to read the imagefrom the original 8 (step S1 c). That is, the scanner control part 14increases the transmittance of the contact glass 7 by increasing thevoltage applied to the contact glass 7 so as to cause the contact glass7 to be in a transparent state, moves the scanner light source unit 11to a position of waiting for reading the original 8 (i.e., a startingpoint in the sub-scan direction in an upper part of the image readingapparatus 2), and enters a state of waiting for the user's instructionto start the scanning (step S1 d).

Finally, after the user gives an input from the operation panel 3 tostart the scanning (i.e., to execute reading by the scanner part) (stepStd, “GIVEN”), the scanner part starts reading the original (step S1 e).That is, the scanner light source unit 11 moves in the sub-scandirection and emits light to the original, and the scanner sensor 13obtains original data from the light reflected by the original andtransmits the original data to the scanner control part 14. Next, thescanner control part 14 transmits the original data to the body controlpart 21 and thus, the original data is stored in the storage part 22.

<Control Procedure (2) of Image Reading Apparatus at Time of ReadingOriginal>

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart showing another example of control procedure(i.e., a control procedure (2)) of the image reading apparatus 2 in theimage forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, a case where the user does not input the scannercondition, and an initial setting or the scanner condition that has beenalready input until then is used as a current scanner condition isshown.

First, the scanner cover open sensor 16 detects whether the scannercover 25 is open (step S21). After it is detected that the scanner cover25 is open (“OPEN” in step S21), the scanner control part 14 transmitsscanner cover open information to the body control part 21 (step S22).

After receiving the scanner cover open information, the body controlpart 21 transmits to the scanner control part 14 an instruction toswitch to the scanner display mode (i.e., for the time of the scannerpart being not operated) and the initial setting or the scannercondition that has been already input until then (i.e., the currentscanner condition) (step S23).

The scanner control part 14 receives the instruction to switch to thescanner display mode and the scanner condition, and thus, enters thescanner display mode (i.e., for the time of the scanner part being notoperated, see FIG. 10B) (step S24). Specifically, the scanner controlpart 14 reduces the transmittance of the contact glass 7 by stoppingapplying the voltage to or reducing the voltage applied to the contactglass 7, thus, causes the contact glass 7 to enter the frosted glassstate or the state of becoming black, and transmits display data basedon the scanner condition to the projector part 15. Further, the scannercontrol part 14 moves the scanner light source unit 11 downward so thatblocking of the light path of the projection carried out by theprojector part 15 by the scanner light source unit 11 is prevented.Then, based on the current scanner condition, the information indicatingthe size of the original in which size the image is read, theinformation indicating whether the original is in the lateral orlongitudinal state, and the information indicating whether printing iscarried out in color or monochrome, and in addition, a message urgingthe user to set the original onto the contact glass 7 such as “SETORIGINAL”, are projected by the projector part 15 and displayed onto thecontact glass 7.

Next, the original size sensor 20 detects whether the original has beenplaced on the contact glass 7 (step S25).

After the original is detected (step S25, “ALREADY SET”), the scannercontrol part 14 detects the size of the original by using the originalsize detection sensor 20, and, in the scanner display mode (see FIG.10B), displays the original table on the contact glass 7, i.e., displaysthe area of the size of the original from which area the image readingapparatus 2 reads the image with respect to the detected original size(step S26). The specific display style in the displaying the originaltable may be any one of those shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Also in thiscase, it is preferable that the user can select any one of the displaystyles shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

Based on the original table displayed on the contact glass 7, the usercan confirm whether the part of the original to be read has beenproperly disposed on the contact glass 7.

Then, waiting for the scanner open sensor 16 detecting that the scannercover 25 has been closed is carried out (step S27).

After the scanner open sensor 16 detects that the scanner cover 25 hasbeen closed (step S27, “CLOSED”), the image reading apparatus 2 entersthe scanner reading mode (see FIG. 10A, for the time of the scanner partbeing operated) from the scanner display mode, and thus, the imagereading apparatus 2 enters the state of being able to read the imagefrom the original (step S28). That is, the scanner control part 14increases the transmittance of the contact glass 7 by increasing thevoltage applied to the contact glass 7 so as to cause the contact glass7 to be in the transparent state, moves the scanner light source unit 11to the position of waiting for reading the original (i.e., the startingpoint in the sub-scan direction in the upper part of the image readingapparatus), and enters the state of waiting for the user's instructionto start the scanning (step S29).

Finally, after the user gives an input from the operation panel 3 tostart the scanning (i.e., to execute reading by the scanner part), thescanner part starts reading the original 8 (step S2 a). That is, thescanner light source unit 11 moves in the sub-scan direction and emitslight to the original, and the scanner sensor 13 obtains original datafrom the light reflected by the original and transmits the original datato the scanner control part 14. Next, the scanner control part 14transmits the original data to the body control part 21 and thus, theoriginal data is stored in the storage part 22.

It is noted that during the control procedures of the image readingapparatus 2 in the image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, ina state in which the image reading apparatus 2 cannot read the original,the following operation may be carried out. That is, after the detectionpart (i.e., the scanner cover open sensor 16) detects that the scannercover 25 is open (i.e., the open state) (step S13 or S21, “OPEN”), thetransmittance of the contact glass 7 is reduced and the scanner displaymode is entered, and message information such as “SCAN NG” indicatingthat the current state is such that the image cannot be read isprojected onto the contact glass 7.

Further, when the current state is such that immediately after the imageforming apparatus has been started up, and thus, the image readingapparatus 2 cannot read the image of the original 8, the followingoperation may be carried out. That is, after the detection part (i.e.,the scanner cover open sensor 16) detects that the scanner cover 25 isopen (i.e., the open state) (step S13 or S21, “OPEN”), the transmittanceof the contact glass 7 is reduced and the scanner display mode isentered, and message information such as “WAIT 2 min” indicating thatthe current state is a standby state at a time of starting up isprojected onto the contact glass 7.

It is noted that in the control procedure (1) (one example) describedabove with reference to FIG. 12 and the control procedure (2) (anotherexample) described above with reference to FIG. 14, switching betweenthe scanner display mode (for the time of the scanner part being notoperated) and the scanner reading mode (for the time of the scanner partbeing operated) is controlled in synchronization with opening andclosing of the scanner cover 25. However, the control of switchingbetween the scanner display mode and the scanner reading mode is notlimited to this method.

For example, even in a state in which the scanner cover 25 is open, thescanner reading mode may be forcibly entered and scanning operation(i.e., operation of reading the original described above as theoperation in step S1 e of FIG. 12 or S2 a of FIG. 14) may be started inresponse to an input to start scanning being given from the operationpanel 3.

<Displaying on Contact Glass 7 (First Image Displaying) and Displayingon Display Part 17 (Second Image Displaying)>

In the image reading apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, from the original placed on the contact glass 7 orthe original fed from the ADF 1, image information is read and is storedin the storage part 22.

It is noted that the image information stored in the storage part 22 maybe immediately transmitted to the image forming part 5, and based on theimage information, an image may be formed by the image forming part 5,without a preview display function described later being carried out.

However, a problem may occur when forming an image (i.e., printing) iscarried out without confirmation of an image to be output (printed). Forexample, a desired image cannot be obtained through the printing in acase where the position of the original is shifted when the original isplaced on the contact glass 7, a case where the original is placed onthe ADF 1 upside down, or such. Further, recently, as digital copiersbecome to have high performance, various image processing functions areincluded in the digital copiers. In such circumstances, it may bedifficult to expect an actual image to be output through the printingbefore the printing.

It is possible to confirm the actual image to be output by actuallyoutputting (printing) the image. However, in this method, recordingpaper may be wasted.

Therefore, in an image reading apparatus according to a first variantembodiment of the present invention, the preview display function isincluded in which the image information having been read through theimage reading apparatus 2 and stored in the storage part 22 is displayedon the contact glass 7 (i.e., first image displaying). Further, in theimage reading apparatus according to the first variant embodiment of thepresent invention, the image information having been read through theimage reading apparatus and stored in the storage part 22 is displayedalso on the display part 17 (however, in a state in which the size ofthe image has been reduced) (i.e., second image displaying).

The image reading apparatus according to the first variant embodimentand an image forming apparatus according to the first variant embodimentincluding the image reading apparatus according to the first variantembodiment are approximately the same as the image reading apparatus andthe image forming apparatus according to the embodiment described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1A through 14, respectively. Therefore,duplicate description is omitted and mainly different points will now bedescribed.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D illustrate one example of the previewdisplay function using the contact glass 7 and one example of thepreview display function using the display part 17.

Thumbnail Displaying

In FIG. 15A, plural sets of image data TN1 stored by the storage part 22are displayed in a form of respective thumbnails. In the example shownin FIGS. 15A, 15 images TN1 are displayed in the form the respectivethumbnails in a state of being reduced in size.

Here, for example, in a case where several sheets or tens of sheets oforiginals are read by the image reading apparatus 2 after being fed fromthe ADF 1, the plural sets of image data corresponding to the number ofthe originals are stored in the storage part 22 through one readingoperation of the image reading apparatus 2. If the plural sets of imagedata are displayed one by one, a considerable time may be required andrequired operations may be complicated.

Therefore, by displaying the respective sets of image data in the formof the thumbnails in the state in which the respective images TN1 arereduced in size in such a degree that the user can recognize therespective images TN1, the user can check the plural images within ashort time period, through easy operation. It is preferable that theuser can appropriately select the desired size and number of therespective images TN1 displayed on the contact glass 7 as shown in FIG.15A so that the desired number of images are displayed in desired sizein the form of thumbnails. It is noted that the displaying on thecontact glass 7 may be carried out in the method described above withreference to FIGS. 3 through 14 by using the projector part 15. Further,also displaying on the contact glass 7 which will be described withreference to FIGS. 15B through 20B may be carried out also in the methoddescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3 through 14 by using theprojector part 15.

At the time the displaying is carried out on the contact glass 7 asshown in FIG. 15A, also the display part 17 displays the plural imagesTN2 in a form of thumbnails in the same way as that on the contact glass7. However, although the contact glass 7 has a size of, for example, theorder of A3 size, the display area of the display part 17 is smaller.Therefore, the displaying on the display part 17 may be such that theuser cannot sufficiently recognize the respective images TN2 in the formof thumbnails which are further reduced in size since the display areaof the display part 17 is smaller.

The display part 17 has a touch panel function, and the user can operateit by touching the display part 17 to input a command. As shown in FIG.15A, “page go forward/backward switches” SW are provided on the displaypart 17, and with the page go forward/backward switches SW, the user candesignate one or plural images from among the plural images displayed inthe form of thumbnails. Alternatively, by directly touching (ordouble-clicking) the plural images displayed on the display part 17 inthe form of thumbnails, the user can designate one or plural images fromamong the plural images displayed in the form of thumbnails.

By using the touch panel function of the display part 17, also it ispossible, in “selected image displaying” described later with referenceto FIG. 15C, to select and designate images to be displayed, set theorder of displaying the images or the order of outputting the images forprinting the image, and designate images to be deleted.

It is noted that in the embodiment and in the first variant embodimentof the present invention, the display part 17 has the touch panelfunction, and has some functions of the input part 18. However, thedisplay part 17 is not limited to this configuration in which thedisplay part 17 has only some functions of the input part 18. Thedisplay part 17 may have all the functions of the input part 18.

Further, the thumbnails displayed on the contact glass 7 may be printedas they are on recording paper. Thereby, the user can check the pluralimages on the recording paper.

Further, in the state of displaying the images in the form of thumbnailson the contact glass 7, image processing may be carried out on therespective images. Details of the image processing will be describedlater.

Full Size Displaying

In FIG. 15B, the image information stored in the storage part 22 isdisplayed in full size (i.e., in size the same as the size of the imageto be printed) on the contact glass 7.

In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the images (two images in thisexample) FI1 are displayed in full size, and therefore, the user cancheck the images to be actually output (printed). Also in the displayingthe images FI1 in full size, the display part 17 displays the images FI2in a state of being reduced in size from full size, and the user candesignate the images by using the touch panel function of the displaypart 17 the same as the above-mentioned case of “thumbnails displaying”.Further, the images displayed in full size on the contact glass 7 can beprinted onto recording paper as they are, and thus, the user can checkthe full-size images also on the recording paper. Further, in the stateof displaying the images in full size, image processing may be carriedout on the images.

Thus, by displaying images in full size, it is possible to obtain imagesthat are close to the user's images.

Selected Image Displaying

In FIG. 15C, the images selected from FIG. 15A or 15B are displayed onthe contact glass 7. In the example of FIG. 15C, the three selectedimages SI1 are displayed, and the user can print and/or carry out imageprocessing on the selected images SI1. Also in the selected imagedisplaying, the display part 17 displays the images SI2 in a state ofbeing reduced in size from full size, and the same as the case of thethumbnail displaying, the user can input commands (i.e., input commandsfor printing, carrying out image processing and so forth) by using thetouch panel function of the display part 17. The image processing willbe described later.

Grid Displaying

In FIG. 15D, in addition to the image data stored in the storage part22, image information that semitransparent grid lines GL in a form of alattice which are not actually printed are superposed on the image datais displayed on both the contact glass 7 and the display part 17. It isnoted that for the sake of convenience, in FIG. 15D, indication of thesemitransparent grid lines GS on the display part 17 is omitted.

By displaying the semitransparent grid lines GL in the form of thelattice, the user can easily determine whether the original has beeninclined when being scanned.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15D, the user can display on the contact glass7 a length L1 (in full scale) by designating two points such asintersections CP of the grids. It is noted that in the full sizedisplaying, it is possible to measure the length by actually using aruler or such. Further, as shown in FIG. 15D, character information“MEASUREMENT MODE” is displayed on the display part 17 for the user'sconvenience.

<Combining Images Displayed on Contact Glass 7 (Combining MaterialImages)>

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E illustrate an example of combiningmaterial images displayed on the contact glass 7 in “previewdisplaying”.

FIG. 16A shows an example in which images MI4 as material images aredisplayed on the display part 17 in a form of thumbnails. It is notedthat FIG. 16A may correspond to a part of the display part 17 as shownin FIG. 16D. In the example of FIG. 16A, five images MI4 as the materialimages are displayed in the form of thumbnails, and these materialimages are those having been previously scanned by using the ADF 1 orsuch, and having been stored in the storage part 22. Further, from thedisplay part 17, the user can select from the five images MI4 displayedin a form of thumbnails by using the touch panel function of the displaypart 17.

At this time, it is preferable that also on the contact glass 7, theimages as the material images are displayed in the form of thumbnails(MI2 in FIG. 16A). At this time, it is preferable that the images as thethumbnails displayed on the contact glass 7 are those magnified from theimages MI4 as the thumbnails displayed on the display part 17.

Next, the user selects a “memory combination mode” from the operationpart 3, selects images from among the material images displayed on thedisplay part 17 in the form of thumbnails, and combines the materialimages.

FIG. 16B shows an example in which three images MI3, selected from amongthe material images MI4 from the display part 17, are displayed ashaving been reduced in size on the display part 17. It is noted thatFIG. 16B may correspond to a part of the display part 17. Further, fromthe display part 17, image processing can be carried out on the threeselected images MI3 through the user's operation by using the touchpanel function of the display part 17.

At this time, also on the contact glass 7, the three selected images,displayed on the display part 17, are displayed in full size. Thus, onthe contact glass 7, the first image displaying is updated by the stateof FIG. 16B from the state of FIG. 16A.

In the example of FIG. 16B, an arrangement of the material images hasnot been determined yet. By using the touch panel function of thedisplay part 17, the user carries out image processing such as movingthe images to dispose the images appropriately and thus obtains adesired combined image. It is noted that a frame FR and a frame FR0indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 16B and 16D, respectively, correspondto an A3 size to be output (printed), and represent a printing area tobe printed.

The user may select any one of the three images MI3 by using the touchpanel function of the display part 17, carries out image processing suchas moving on the respective images MI3, and obtains the desired combinedimage. At this time, on the display part 17, it is preferable that, atthe time of image processing, the currently selected image is displayedin such a manner that which one of the images is currently selected canbe recognized.

It is preferable that the image data thus selected to carry out imageprocessing (A) is displayed in an area different from an area in whichthe “second image displaying” is carried out, and the image processingoperation is set from the different area, or (B) is displayed in thearea in which the “second image displaying” is carried out, but isdisplayed in such a manner that, as shown in FIG. 16B, brightness of thedisplaying or a color of the displaying is different from that of the“second image displaying”, and the image processing operation is setfrom the area in which the “second image displaying” is carried out. Itis noted that, for the purpose of convenience, in FIG. 16B, only theimage located at the top left is drawn by bold lines to show theabove-mentioned state that brightness of the displaying or a color ofthe displaying is different from that of (the other two images includedin) the “second image displaying”.

FIG. 16C shows an example in which the three selected images (combinedimage) thus processed from the display part 17 are displayed as havingbeen reduced in size. It is noted that FIG. 16C may correspond to a partof the display part 17. That is, from the state of FIG. 16B, imageprocessing such as moving has been carried out, and thus, the desiredcombined image have been obtained from the three selected images.Further, also on the contact glass 7, the three selected images(combined image), displayed on the display part 17 as having beenreduced in size, are displayed in full size.

FIG. 16D shows an example of the material images MI4 and the combinedimage MI3 displayed on the display part 17 as having been reduced insize, and an example of user interface information “REDUCE INSIZE/MAGNIFY” and “MOVE”. The method of displaying is not limited to theexample shown in FIG. 16D. However, in the example of FIG. 16D, thematerial images MI4 are displayed in the form of thumbnails at the topleft of the display part 17, the selected images or the combined imageobtained from the image processing being carried out on the selectedimages are displayed at the top right of the display part 17, and theuser interface information is displayed at the bottom of the displaypart 17. Therefore, by using the touch panel function of the displaypart 17, selection of the images, the image processing operations, andso forth, can be easily carried out.

By using the user interface information including a menu as “REDUCE INSIZE/MAGNIFY” and “MOVE” as shown in FIG. 16D, it is possible toappropriately select from the various image processing operations (i.e.,the various image operation modes) from the menu. As the imageprocessing operations, for example, a “cut out” mode, a “rotation” mode,a “move” mode, a “reduce in size” mode, a “magnify” mode, a “text input”mode and so fourth may be applied. Otherwise, the user interfaceinformation may show to the user information that may assist the user increating the combined image, such as a specific procedure of the imageprocessing.

FIG. 16E shows an example in which an image in which further a textmessage “COPY INHIBITED” is combined is displayed on the display part17. It is noted that FIG. 16E may correspond to a part of the displaypart 17. At this time, also on the contact glass 7, the image displayedon the display part 17 is displayed in full size.

It is possible to thus add text to the combined image by inputting thetext by using the user interface. Specifically, inputting text may becarried out in an input method in which input keys are displayed on thedisplay part 17, and the touch panel function is used to input the text,or another input method in which a ten key provided in the outside ofthe display part 17 (for example, a ten key provided in the input part18) is used, and a text is input in a method widely used as text inputmethod of a cellular phone.

For the input text, further a font, a character size, a frame or closingline enclosing the text, or such, may be set.

Then, the text “COPY INHIBITED” modified as shown in FIG. 16E with theframe FRR is disposed at a position shown, and thus, the combined imageincluding the modified text is obtained.

It is noted that fixed characters, a fixed sentence, a mark or such maybe previously registered in the storage part 22, and the user may createand register material images as a default in the storage part 22.

The combined image thus obtained is displayed on the contact glass 7 infull size, and after the user confirms the displayed combined image, theuser presses a printing button provided in the input part 18, and theimage forming part 5 prints the combined image.

<Combining Images Displayed on Contact Glass 7 (Combining withAdditional Original)>

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E and 17F illustrate an example in which animage having already been scanned and displayed on the contact glass 7and additional originals are combined in the image reading apparatus 2according to the first variant embodiment.

FIG. 17A shows an example of the already scanned image, and FIG. 17Bshows examples of images AO1 and AO2 of the respective additionaloriginals. Further, FIG. 17C shows a combined image obtained from thealready scanned image shown in FIG. 17A and the images AO1 and AO2 ofthe additional originals shown in FIG. 17B being combined.

Specific procedures of the combining will now be described in detail.

When a “direct combination mode” is selected from the operation part 3,an image having been scanned and stored in the storage part 22 isdisplayed on the contact glass 7 in full size in a state of being turnedover (i.e., the face being reversed) (see FIG. 17D).

Next, an area of the thus-displayed image to which the image of theadditional original is to be combined is designated through the user'soperation from the display part 17, for example, using the touch panelfunction. For example, as shown in FIG. 17D, frames FR1 and FR2 ofbroken lines are displayed on both the contact glass 7 and the displaypart 17 in the same way to represent the area in which the image of theadditional original is to be combined (added).

Then, in the state in which the area FR1 to combine the image of theadditional original is displayed as shown in FIG. 17D, the additionaloriginal OR1 having the image AO1 is disposed onto the contact glass 17in a state of being reversed (see FIG. 17E). At this time, it ispreferable that brightness of the contact glass 7 is increased, or thetransmittance of the contact glass is increased so that the face of theadditional original OR1 can be easily seen through the paper. Afterthat, as shown in FIG. 17E, the user adjusts the position of theadditional original OR1 with respect to the area FR1 displayed on thecontact glass 7 so that the image AO1 (i.e., of a star shape) of theadditional original OR1, which can be seen through the paper, is withinthe area FR1 in which the image of the additional original is to becombined.

After thus disposing the additional original OR1 on the contact glass 7,the user closes the scanner cover 25, and operates the image readingapparatus 2 to scan the image AO1 of the additional original OR1.

Through the above-described operations, the image AO1 of the star shape,which is a part of the images AO1 and AO2 shown in FIG. 17B, is combinedwith the image shown in FIG. 17A, and the thus-obtained combined imageis displayed on the contact glass 7 in full size, and also, is displayedon the display part 17 as having been reduced in size.

Further, the black horizontal line AO2 (see FIG. 17B) is combined, inthe same procedure as that when the star shape AO1 has been combined, byusing the other additional original having the image AO2. Thus, thecombined image shown in FIG. 17C is obtained. Similarly, the combinedimage is displayed on the contact glass in full size, and also, isdisplayed on the display part 17 as having been reduced in size (seeFIG. 17F).

The thus-obtained combined image is displayed on the contact glass 7 infull size as mentioned above. Then, after the user confirms thedisplayed combined image, the user presses the printing button, and theimage forming part 5 prints the combined image.

It is noted that such combining is not limited to the method in whichthe image processing is carried out on the images scanned and stored inthe storage part 22 in full size. Instead, the images of the additionaloriginals may be combined in the direct combination mode after imageprocessing such as magnifying/reducing in size, rotation, or such iscarried out on the images scanned and stored in the storage part 22.

<Image Editing Process of Image Displayed on Contact Glass 7 (Cut OutMode)>

Cut-Out Mode

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an example of image processing (cut-out process)of a preview image displayed on the contact glass 7 in the image readingapparatus 2 according to the first variant embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18A shows an example of an image displayed on the contact glass 7in “preview displaying”. FIG. 18B shows a part of the image displayed onthe contact glass 7 in preview displaying shown in FIG. 18A, and thepart corresponds to an area the user needs.

First, on the contact glass 7, the image scanned and stored in thestorage part 22 is displayed in full size as shown in FIG. 18A.

Next, the user selects the “cut-out mode” from the operation panel 3,and designates the area the user needs, for example, by using the touchpanel function of the display part 17, the same as the above-mentionedcase of designating the area FR1 described with reference to FIG. 17D.The area the user needs is the area enclosed by the frame FR11 indicatedby broken lines in FIG. 18A, and is of A4 size. It is noted that theimage displayed on the contact glass 7 in the preview displaying asshown in FIG. 18A corresponds to A3 size.

Thus, the area of the frame FR11 is then cut out, and the cut out imageshown in FIG. 18B is displayed on the contact glass 7 in full size.Then, after the user confirms the displayed cut out image, the userpresses the printing button, and the image forming part 5 prints the cutout image.

<Image Editing Process of Image Displayed on Contact Glass 7 (RotationMode)>

Rotation Mode

FIGS. 19A and 19B show an example of image processing (rotation process)of a preview image displayed on the contact glass 7 in the image readingapparatus 2 according to the first variant embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19A shows one example of the image in preview displaying, and FIG.19B shows an example obtained from a part of the image in previewdisplaying shown in FIG. 19A being rotated.

First, on the contact glass 7, the image scanned and stored in thestorage part 22 is displayed in full size as shown in FIG. 19A.

In the example shown in FIG. 19A, because the original has been scannedobliquely, the image is displayed on the contact glass 7 and on thedisplay part 17 in a state of becoming oblique from the desired state,as shown in FIG. 19A.

Next, the user selects a “rotation mode” from the operation panel 3, anddesignates the area the user needs, for example, by using the touchpanel function of the display part 17, the same as the above-mentionedcase of designating the area FR1 described with reference to FIG. 17D.The area the user needs is the area enclosed by the frame FR21 (in thefirst image displaying) and the frame FR31 (in the second imagedisplaying) indicated by broken lines in FIG. 19A. The area the userneeds may be designated freely in size or may be designated bydesignating a predetermined size such as A4 size. As shown in FIG. 19A,the area designated by the frames FR21 and FR21 of the broken lines isdisplayed. That is, the area from which printing is carried out isdisplayed. After that, the user appropriately rotates the designatedarea FR21 or FR31, for example, by appropriately operating the operationpanel 3. Thus, it is possible to obtain the desired rotated image asshown in FIG. 19B.

The thus-obtained rotated image is displayed on the contact glass 7 infull size, and also, is displayed on the display part 17 in the reducedsize, as shown in FIG. 19B. Then, after the user confirms the displayedrotated image, the user presses the printing button, and the imageforming part 5 prints the rotated image.

It is noted that in the above-mentioned example, the area designated(defined) by the frame FR21 or FR31 of the broken lines is rotated, andthe desired rotated image is obtained. However, the rotation mode is notlimited to this method. Instead, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, theframe FR21 or FR31 (indicating the area corresponding to the printingarea) may be fixed, and the image displayed in preview displaying (or apart thereof) may be rotated, and may be moved into the frame FR21 orFR31 of the broken lines. Further, image processing to be carried out onthe designated area or the image displayed in preview displaying is notlimited to rotation (changing the inclination), and image processing ofone or more appropriately selected from moving the position, changingthe size (i.e., magnifying/reducing in size) and so forth may be carriedout on the designated area or the image displayed in preview displaying.

Further, the setting of the image processing operation such as thereducing in size, magnifying, rotation and cutting out is reflected onboth the first image displaying on the contact glass 7 and the secondimage displaying on the display part 17. For example, as shown in FIGS.19A and 19B, the setting of rotation of the image as the imageprocessing operation is reflected on both the first image displaying onthe contact glass 7 and the second image displaying on the display part17. That is, as shown in FIG. 19B, in both the contact glass 7 and thedisplay part 17, the images defined by the designated areas FR21 andFR31 have been rotated from the state of FIG. 19A, respectively.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a control procedure of the firstvariant embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In step S121, the scanner control part 14 determines whether the scannerpart is being operated, i.e., whether the user has given an input fromthe operation panel 3 to start scanning. The scanner control part 14controls the voltage applied to the contact glass 7 to increase thetransmittance of the contact glass 7 and the projector part 15 stopsprojecting the image information onto the contact glass 7 if any (stepS133), at the time that the scanner part is being operated (step S121“YES”). Then, in step S133A, the scanner part starts scanning andreading the original placed on the contact glass 7, the same as step S1e of FIG. 12 or step S2 a of FIG. 14.

On the other hand, the scanner control part 14 controls the voltageapplied to the contact glass 7 to decrease the transmittance of thecontact glass 7 and the projector part 15 carries out the first imagedisplaying of projecting the image data stored in the storage part 22 asthe image information onto the contact glass 7 (step S135), at the timethat the scanner part is not being operated (step S121 “NO”).

Then, if necessary, the image processing (such as that described abovewith reference to FIGS. 15A through 20B) is carried out (step S136)according to the user's instruction. After that, according to the user'sinstruction (i.e., pressing the printing button), the image forming part5 prints the image information stored in the storing part 22 (stepS137).

Next, with reference to FIG. 22, a control procedure of a second variantembodiment of the present invention will be described.

An image reading apparatus according to the second variant embodimentand an image forming apparatus according to the second variantembodiment including the image reading apparatus according to the secondvariant embodiment are approximately the same as the image readingapparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the first variantembodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 21,respectively. Therefore, duplicate description is omitted and mainlydifferent points will now be described.

In step S131, the scanner control part 14 determines whether the scannercover open sensor 16 has detected that the scanner cover 25 is in theclosed state. When the scanner cover open sensor 16 has detected thatthe scanner cover 25 is in the closed state (step S131 “CLOSED”), thescanner control part 14 then determines whether the scanner part isbeing operated (step S132), i.e., whether the user has given an inputfrom the operation panel 3 to start scanning. The scanner control part14 controls the voltage applied to the contact glass 7 to increase thetransmittance of the contact glass 7 and the projector part 15 stopsprojecting the image information onto the contact glass 7 if any (stepS133), at the time that the scanner part is being operated (step S132“YES”). Then, in step S133A, the scanner part starts scanning andreading the original placed on the contact glass 7, the same as step S1e of FIG. 12 or step S2 a of FIG. 14.

On the other hand, when the scanner cover open sensor 16 has detectedthat the scanner cover 25 is in the open state (step S131 “OPEN”), thescanner control part 14 then determines whether the scanner part isbeing operated (step S134). The scanner control part 14 controls thevoltage applied to the contact glass 7 to decrease the transmittance ofthe contact glass 7 and the projector part 15 carries out the firstimage displaying of projecting the image data stored in the storage part22 as the image information onto the contact glass 7 (step S135), at thetime that the scanner part is not being operated (step S134 “NO”).

Then, if necessary, the image processing (such as that described abovewith reference to FIGS. 15A through 20B) is carried out (step S136)according to the user's instruction. After that, according to the user'sinstruction (i.e., pressing the printing button), the image forming part5 prints the image information stored in the storing part 22 (stepS137).

On the other hand, when the scanner part is being operated (step S134YES), the scanner control part 14 controls the voltage applied to thecontact glass 7 to increase the transmittance of the contact glass 7 andthe projector part 15 stops projecting the image information onto thecontact glass 7 if any (step S133). Then, in step S133A, the scannerpart starts scanning and reading the original placed on the contactglass 7, the same as step S1 e of FIG. 12 or step S2 a of FIG. 14.

Next, with reference to FIG. 23, a control procedure of a third variantembodiment of the present invention will be described.

An image reading apparatus according to the third variant embodiment andan image forming apparatus according to the third variant embodimentincluding the image reading apparatus according to the third variantembodiment are approximately the same as the image reading apparatus andthe image forming apparatus according to the second variant embodimentdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 22, respectively.Therefore, duplicate description is omitted and mainly different pointswill now be described.

In step S151, the scanner control part 14 determines from the detectionsignal provided by the scanner cover open sensor 16, whether the stateof the scanner cover 25 has been changed from the closed state to theopen state. Then, when the scanner control part 14 has determined thatthe state of the scanner cover 25 has been changed from the closed stateto the open state (S151 YES), the scanner control part 14 determineswhether image data has been stored in the storage part 22 (step S152).Then, when the scanner control part 14 has determined that image datahas been stored in the storage part 22 (step S152 YES), the scannercontrol part 14 controls the voltage applied to the contact glass 7 todecrease the transmittance of the contact glass 7 and the projector part15 carries out the first image displaying of projecting the image datastored in the storage part 22 as the image information onto the contactglass 7 (step S153).

Then, if necessary, the image processing (such as that described abovewith reference to FIGS. 15A through 20B) is carried out (step S154)according to the user's instruction. After that, according to the user'sinstruction (i.e., pressing the printing button), the image forming part5 prints the image information stored in the storing part 22 (stepS155).

On the other hand, when no image data has been stored in the storagepart 22 (step S152 NO), the scanner control part 14 controls the voltageapplied to the contact glass 7 to increase the transmittance of thecontact glass 7 and the projector part 15 stops projecting the imageinformation onto the contact glass 7 (step S156). Then, in response tothe user's instruction to scan the original placed on the contact glass7, the scanner part starts scanning and reading the original, the sameas steps S1 d and S1 e of FIG. 12 or steps S29 and S2 a of FIG. 14 (stepS157).

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No.2010-058763 filed on Mar. 16, 2010, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reading apparatus that reads an image ofan original placed on a contact glass and outputs the read image asprinting data according to a paper size or a printing magnificationwhich has been set, comprising: the contact glass having a light controlglass part that has transmittance which is changed according to a stateof a voltage being applied, and having one side that acts as an originalplacement surface; a scanner part that reads the original placed on thecontact glass and outputs image data of the read original in a storagepart; a projector part that projects image information onto the contactglass from a side of the contact glass opposite to the originalplacement surface; and a control part that controls the voltage to beapplied to the light control glass part, wherein at a time of thescanner part being operated, the control part controls the voltage toincrease the transmittance of the contact glass, and the projector partstops projecting the image information onto the contact glass, and at atime of the scanner part being not operated, the control part controlsthe voltage to decrease the transmittance of the contact glass, and theprojector part carries out first image displaying of projecting theimage data stored in the storage part as the image information onto thecontact glass.
 2. The image reading apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the projector part carries out the first image displaying ofprojecting thumbnails or an image that has been selected to be processedin image processing or be printed, based on the image data stored in thestorage part.
 3. The image reading apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein the projector part projects the selected image in an image sizein which the selected image is to be printed.
 4. The image readingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a display part thatdisplays image information; and an operation part for setting executionof reading by the scanner part and an image processing operation to becarried out on the image data stored in the storage part, wherein thedisplay part carries out second image displaying obtained from the firstimage displaying being reduced in size, and the setting, by theoperation part, of the image processing operation to be carried out onthe image data stored in the storage part is reflected on the firstimage displaying and the second image displaying.
 5. The image readingapparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the display part has a touchpanel function, and has a part or all of the functions of the operationpart.
 6. The image reading apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein thedisplay part displays, in addition to the image information, userinterface information concerning an image processing operation to becarried out on the image information.
 7. The image reading apparatus asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the projector part carries out the firstimage displaying of projecting thumbnails based on the image data storedin the storage part, and the operation part is used to set an imageprocessing operation of at least one of selection of an image to bedisplayed, designation of an image to be deleted, and setting of anorder of outputting the image data, at the time the thumbnails areprojected by the projector part.
 8. The image reading apparatus asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the image processing operation has at leastone mode selected from a reduction mode of reducing an image in size, amagnifying mode of magnifying an image, a rotation mode of rotating animage, a moving mode of moving an image in a direction along adisplaying surface, and a cut-out mode of cutting out a part of animage, the projector part carries out the first image displaying ofprojecting the image selected to have the image processing operationcarried out or be printed based on the image data stored in the storagepart, and the image reading apparatus includes a printing areadisplaying part that, at the time the selected image is displayed,displays a printing area that indicates an area to be printed on each ofthe first image displaying and the second image displaying in additionto the selected image displayed based on the image data.
 9. The imagereading apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printing areadisplaying part displays the printing area in a condition in which oneor more of a position, a size and a lean of the printing area ischanged, and a condition of displaying the selected image is fixed. 10.The image reading apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printingarea displaying part fixes a condition of displaying the printing area,and the operation part is used to set the image processing operation ofchanging one or more of a position, a size and a lean of the selectedimage.
 11. The image reading apparatus as claimed in claim 4, furthercomprising a grid displaying part that displays, at a time of theselected image being displayed, a grid in addition to the selected imagethroughout the area of the first image displaying and the area of thesecond image displaying.
 12. The image reading apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising: a scanner cover that covers the contactglass and is able to be opened and closed with respect to the contactglass; and a detection part that detects whether the scanner cover isopen or closed, wherein when the detection part has detected that thescanner cover is in a closed state, the control part controls thevoltage to increase the transmittance of the contact glass and theprojector part stops projecting the image information onto the contactglass, at the time of the scanner part being operated, and when thedetection part has detected that the scanner cover is in an open state,the control part controls the voltage to decrease the transmittance ofthe contact glass and the projector part carries out the first imagedisplaying of projecting the image data stored in the storage part asthe image information onto the contact glass, at the time of the scannerpart being not operated.
 13. The image reading apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein when the detection part has determined from adetection signal provided by the detection part that the state of thescanner cover has been changed from the closed state to the open state,the control part controls the voltage to decrease the transmittance ofthe contact glass and the projector part carries out the first imagedisplaying of projecting the image data stored in the storage part asthe image information onto the contact glass, when the image data hasbeen stored in the storage part, and the control part controls thevoltage to increase the transmittance of the contact glass and theprojector part stops projecting the image information onto the contactglass, when no image data has been stored in the storage part.
 14. Animage forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus claimed inclaim
 1. 15. An image reading method of reading an image of an originalplaced on a contact glass and outputting the read image as printing dataaccording to a paper size or a printing magnification which has beenset, comprising: reading the image of the original placed on the contactglass that has a light control glass part that has transmittance whichis changed according to a state of a voltage being applied and has oneside that acts as an original placement surface, and outputting imagedata of the read original to a storage part; projecting imageinformation onto the contact glass from a side of the contact glassopposite to the original placement surface; and controlling the voltageto be applied to the light control glass part, wherein at the time ofreading the image of the original, the voltage is controlled to increasethe transmittance of the contact glass, and projection of the imageinformation onto the contact glass is stopped, and at a time of otherthan reading the image of the original, the voltage is controlled todecrease the transmittance of the contact glass, and first imagedisplaying of projecting the image data stored in the storage part asthe image information onto the contact glass is carried out.
 16. Theimage reading method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first imagedisplaying is to project thumbnails or an image that has been selectedto have an image processing operation carried out or be printedaccording to the image data stored in the storage part.
 17. The imagereading method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the selected image isprojected onto the contact glass in an image size in which the selectedimage is to be printed.
 18. The image reading method as claimed in claim15, further comprising: displaying image information on a display part;and setting execution of the reading of the image of the original and animage processing operation to be carried out on the image data stored inthe storage part, wherein the displaying image information on thedisplay part comprises second image displaying on the display obtainedfrom the first image displaying being reduced in size, and the settingof the image processing operation to be carried out on the image datastored in the storage part is reflected on the first image displayingand the second image displaying.
 19. An image forming method comprisingthe image reading method claimed in claim 15.